In an effort to settle the hornet’s nest stirred by Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran's visit to the Sree Guruvayur temple in Thrissur, the CPI (M) State Committee reprimanded the LDF Minister on Friday.
The Committee said that it was of the opinion that the Minister's behaviour was not in accordance with the party's principles. The reprimand was based on an inquiry report by the party’s State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, which was discussed at a meeting held on Friday.
While the Committee held that Kadakampally Surendran visiting the temple as a Devaswom Minister was not problematic, it observed that the Minister offering prayers at the temple was against party principles.
According to reports, the State Committee also directed the Minister to follow in the footsteps of former Communist leaders who have held the Devaswom portfolio. Surendran is reported to have agreed with the view of the State Committee that he had not been cautious enough to avoid an unnecessary controversy.
The Minister had visited the Sree Guruvayur temple on September 12, and offered pushpanjali on behalf of his family members. After his action evoked criticism within and outside the party, Surendran had clarified that he had offered pushpanjali on behalf of his family members, who are believers. He had also maintained that he was only fulfilling his duties as the Devaswom Minister by visiting the temple.
However, this did nothing to quell the criticism that erupted after images emerged of Surendran, draped in a mundu and melmundu, and wearing chandanakuri, standing with children dressed as the deity Krishna.